A cloud of grief has descended on Gatanga, Murang’a County, after six members of the same family lost their lives in a tragic road accident on Saturday, October 26, 2025, night.

The victims were returning home from a dowry ceremony in Kiambu when their vehicle lost control and plunged into the Kiama River along the Chomo–Kahunyo road. The rescue team managed to retrieve six bodies from the submerged vehicle early Sunday morning.

Seven other passengers who survived the crash were rushed to Murang’a Level 5 Hospital and Kirwara Level 4 Hospital, where they are receiving treatment for various injuries.

Nyutu mourns the victims

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu was among the first leaders to mourn the victims, describing the incident as a heartbreaking tragedy that had robbed the community of loved ones who had been celebrating a moment of joy just hours before their deaths.

“My heart is heavy this afternoon. We mourn with the people of Gatanga, Kariara Ward, following the tragic road accident at Wacengu Bridge (River Kiama) along Chomo Kihunyo Road that claimed six precious lives last night,” Nyutu said.

He revealed that the victims had been returning from a traditional wedding in Kiambu before the accident struck.

“These were sons and daughters of our soil, people who had spent a joyful day celebrating love at a traditional wedding in Kiambu, only to meet their untimely death just a short distance from home,” he added.

Nyutu said the tragedy had left the community in deep sorrow, urging Murang’a residents to unite in prayer for the affected families. “It is painful beyond words, and as a community, we stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. May God grant them strength, comfort, and peace that surpasses all understanding,” the senator stated.

He further appealed to Kenyans to pray for road safety and the nation at large, saying, “Let us also continue to pray for the safety of all road users, and above all, keep our country and our nation, Kenya at large, in prayer,” he stated.